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Australia’s association with the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) and the Jakarta Legal Aid Institute (LBH) dates back to the mid-1960s when the founder of those organisations, Adnan Buyung Nasution, worked in the Victorian court system before returning to Indonesia to become a leading human rights and pro-democracy campaigner. Since then, under the auspices of the Victorian Bar and the International Commission of Jurists Victoria (ICJV), five other LBH-YLBHI human rights lawyers have participated in an educational exchange program designed to enhance an understanding of the Rule of Law and provide advocacy training.

Female barristers had only six per cent of speaking roles in Civil Appeal hearings in the Court of Appeal in 2016/17, according to statistics released by the Victorian Supreme Court. Of barristers who appeared in hearings as juniors during this period less than 15 per cent were women. This is far below the proportion of women at the bar which is presently 29 per cent.

It is with deep regret that the Bar Council informs members of the death last Monday 21 August 2017 of Jillian Christine Fischer. Jill died just a few days before her 71st birthday (born 25 August 1946).

It is with deep regret that the Bar Council informs members of the death on Thursday 24 August 2017 of His Honour Francis Bannatyne Lewis, retired Judge of the County Court of Victoria. His Honour’s Funeral Service is on Tuesday 29 August 2017 at 2:30 pm at St James’ Old Cathedral, corner King and Batman Streets, West Melbourne.